Match report: Squires Gate 1 Barnoldswick Town 3

Gate’s wait for a first win of the Hallmark Security League season continues, though the bottom club did battle back into this game in the second half.

Manager Danny Penswick had new signing Gary Pett available for a league debut after the midfielder’s shoulder injury in the opening day’s FA Cup defeat by Ashton Athletic.

However, the visitors took the lead after 23 minutes when Joel Melia burst down the right and crossed for Mark Threlfall to power home.

The visitors struck a post from a well-worked corner routine and Gate keeper Ben Fletcher made a superb save before Balick doubled their lead on 35 minutes. Midfielder Harry Thompson was allowed too much space on the edge of the box to stroke the ball into the bottom corner.

Gate’s best chance of the first half fell to striker Tarren Moxon, who side-footed wide when set up by strike partner Jack Williams. Pett beat two defenders but shot the wrong side of the post as the half ended with Gate 2-0 down.

Gate looked more energised after the restart and pulled one back on 52 minutes, when the lively Moxon smashed his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Penswick could have volleyed his side level on the hour but fired wide from Mike Hall’s cross. And centre-half Corey Moorhead could only find the top of the net with a looping header from a superb Jordan Douthwaite free-kick.

The visitors capitalised to seal victory through Danny Boyle on 72 minutes.